A helping PAW to tackle wildlife crime
A Highland-wide strategy to tackle wildlife crime for the next three years has been launched
Police Scotland have appointed a permanent Wildlife Crime Officer, PC Dan Sutherland, to intensify the fight against rural crime.
Along with the Highland branch of the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) it marks a local collaboration between a number of organisations.
These also include Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association and also NFU Scotland.
Ian Wilson represents the NFU in Highland:-
The focus involves working closely with partners organisations to raise awareness and prevent crime.
The Highland Environment Forum focuses on identifying hot-spots and having specific measures in place to deal with different types of crime including raptor crime, salmon poaching, and deer poaching. There is also an emphasis on building partnerships with landowners.
Chief Inspector Colin Gough said: "In the Highlands, we are fortunate to have a wide range of groups and individuals who have specific interests in different aspects of wildlife. Over the next three years we will seek to utilise, facilitate and encourage their participation in protecting the local wildlife, in deterring criminals who seek to destroy our wild heritage and in preventing wildlife crime"
PC Dan Sutherland said: "I am delighted that my time as Wildlife Crime Officer has been extended and made permanent. I am looking forward to help the new HPAW strategy forward."